Bear Brook

A volunteer sleuth digs into Jay's case and reveals a surprising connection to a major figure in the world of astrology, a "Spiritual Sparkplug" named Isabel Hickey.

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Bear Brook is a production of the ⁠Document⁠ team at New Hampshire Public Radio. If you have tips or more information, email us at [email protected].

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Jay's daughter explains how she finally realized her father was missing and shares another side to Patty most people don't know. Police make a new discovery about the timing of Jay's disappearance.

To hear this season of Bear Brook ad-free, ⁠click here to become a member of our Patreon.⁠

Bear Brook is a production of the ⁠Document⁠ team at New Hampshire Public Radio. If you have tips or more information, email us at [email protected].

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A Christmas tree farmer with dementia named Jay Hickey vanishes from his small town in rural New Hampshire. Jay's wife Patty never reports him missing. A tipster claims "a lot of strangeness is starting to emerge" – and they're right.

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A Christmas tree farmer with dementia disappears. His wife never reports him missing. Can anyone find out why?

A Private Matter is the third season of Bear Brook, the critically-acclaimed true crime podcast from New Hampshire Public Radio hosted by Jason Moon. New episodes starting October 21, 2026.

Listen to Bear Brook ad-free and support our journalism at patreon.com/BearBrook.

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Introducing “Safe to Drink:” A New Hampshire town finds out its water has been contaminated by a chemical. The most basic question — whether the water is safe to drink — doesn’t have a clear answer. Nobody seems to know much about this so-called forever chemical, which is weird because… this has all happened before.

From the Document team at New Hampshire Public Radio, "Safe to Drink" is a four-part series about the water contamination story that keeps repeating in town after town — and about the people who fought for answers through a maze of chemistry, regulations, and illnesses.

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Investigators make a discovery that brings the case of the Bear Brook murders to a close after 40 years – and reveals a new mystery.

Click here to check out more podcast series from NHPR's Document team.

Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you.

Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠.

Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us⁠.

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Click here to listen to the rest of The Final Days of Sgt. Tibbs

Bear Brook has been named an Apple Podcasts Series Essential.

Bear Brook, hosted by Jason Moon, is the critically-acclaimed true crime podcast from New Hampshire Public Radio. 

Season 1 - Two barrels. Four Bodies. And a cold case that’s changing how murders will be investigated forever.

Season 2: A True Crime Story - Jason Carroll is serving life in prison for a murder he says he didn’t commit. The only evidence against him? His own taped confession. More than 30 years later, is it possible to get to the truth – and who gets to tell it?

Stephen King called both seasons “the best true crime podcasts I've ever heard. Brilliant, involving, hypnotic.” The New Yorker said season one “stands out for its ambition, complexity, and thoughtful tone.” 

Photos, transcripts and more at bearbrookpodcast.com.

Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case? Email us.

The state of New Hampshire has made a sudden about-face: Prosecutors have now agreed to DNA test old evidence in Jason Carroll’s case. It’s the biggest development in the case in 35 years – and one step closer to possibly learning who killed Sharon Johnson.

Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you.

Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠. To hear more stories by Jason Moon and NHPR's Document team, ⁠click here⁠.

Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us⁠.

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The true crime media spotlight shines on Jason Carroll. Then, a chance encounter leads to a surprising discovery that changes the course of his case.

For more on the case and to see selected data on exonerations, visit bearbrookpodcast.com.

Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you.

Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How could someone possibly confess to murder if they didn’t do it? A modern understanding of confessions sheds new light on Jason Carroll’s case.

For more on the case and to see selected data on exonerations, visit bearbrookpodcast.com.

Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you.

Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices